B&W Fiberglass News

The smart textiles industry is poised for another year of record-breaking growth. R&D within the industry is almost unparalleled as forward-thinking scientists and brands race towards the next frontier in materials.

B&W Fiberglass’ solutions are used in a wide array of smart textile applications. Our glass fiber technology has myriad applications within this growing industry. Let’s take a look at three recent developments in the sector that hold significant promise for the future.

Today’s smartphones are incredibly complex. More than the sum of their parts, these devices power wide-ranging computational processes and contain tens of thousands of individual parts. Every element of the modern smartphone has been considered (and reconsidered) for its performance, cost effectiveness, and versatility.

Glass fiber is the foundation of modern fiber optic technology. Traditionally made from silica, glass optical fibers offer very consistent transmission across a variety of wavelengths and can be used over vast distances. They have changed the face of communications.

How has this relatively recent advancement in materials science revolutionized the telecommunications industry? Let’s take a look at the technology behind today’s connected world.

The United States has the largest medical device market in the world, measuring over $140 billion. Accounting for more than 40% of the entire medical device market, the sector employs hundreds of thousands of workers in higher-than-average pay manufacturing roles. Fiberglass is a technology critical to the success of the industry and to that of medicine as a discipline.

Fiberglass is an incredibly insulative material with a long history in the industrial space. It’s cost-effective, versatile, and inherently customizable. Glass fibers offer extremely high temperature tolerances and fiberglass itself is flame-resistant.

Compared to other composite materials, fiberglass is incredibly durable and resistant to damage. Its thermal capabilities are nearly unparalleled within the construction industry, where accessibility and cost are of paramount importance.

Composite materials aren’t known for their recyclability. For everything they bring to the table in terms of strength and durability, they also bring a significant sustainability challenge. More and more composites are being put into circulation every year.

Can fiberglass, one of the world’s most beloved composites, be recycled? What’s in store for the future of fiberglass recycling as scientists continue to look for ways to make composites as green as they are accessible?

The future of the global communications market is bright. The Unified Communications Market is expected to reach nearly $100 billion by 2023, spurred by the rapid adoption of mobile devices and the continued integration of innovative technologies into emerging markets.

The communications industry is nebulous, encompassing everything from VoIP technology to fiber optic cabling to wireless networks. As the world becomes more and more connected, communications infrastructure will expand in scope; fiberglass is a huge piece of that puzzle.

Basalt fiber is one of the most common alternatives to fiberglass. It’s made from the extremely fine fibers of basalt stone which is itself composed of the minerals plagioclase, pyroxene, and olivine. Because basalt fiber has such high thermal resistance, it’s often used for high-intensity applications such as those found within the aerospace industry.

B&W Fiberglass works with many partners in the aerospace industry, many of whom are heavily invested in the physio-mechanical properties of basalt fiber. Here are three applications in aerospace that make perfect sense for this high-performing material.